Box Score PHILADELPHIA – After opening the Temple Tournament with a 3-1 victory over Central Connecticut State this morning, the Cornell volleyball team fell to the host Owls in straight sets this evening, 22-25, 19-25, 17-25, at McGonigle Gym in Philadelphia, Pa. With the loss, the Big Red slips to 2-7, while Temple uses the victory to improve to 10-4.

Rachel D'Epagnier had her second impressive match of the day, hitting .280 with 10 kills and just three errors on 25 attempts. She also registered one block, but it was her six block performance this morning against CCSU that earned her the tournament's Best Blocker Award. Kelly Marble also chipped in 10 kills and five digs to go along with two service aces. For her efforts, she was given the tournament's Best Server Award.

Setter Kelly Reinke registered 32 assists and eight digs, while Sierra Young led the Big Red with 12 digs.

While Cornell posted a respectable .153 hitting percentage for the match, Temple connected at a clip of .347, including and outstanding .500 in the decisive third set.

The Owls were led by Gabriella Matuatia, who registered a match high 20 kills with just two errors on 34 attempts for a .529 hitting percentage. Temple also got double digit kills from Jingyu Zhang and Elyse Burket, who combined for 21 kills and just five errors on 52 attempts.

Tiffany Connatser handed out 41 assists to go along with seven digs and four block assists, while Chelsea Tupuola and Matuatia posted 13 and 12 digs, respectively.

Cornell opens the Ivy League portion of its schedule next weekend as it travels to New York City to face Columbia and Levien Gymnasium on Saturday, Sept. 22 at 2 p.m. The Big Red dropped both contests to the Lions last season but still holds a commanding 46-8 advantage in the all-time series.